Rennix Trail

This enjoyable walk follows an old management trail from Rennix Gap to the panoramic views from a granite outcrop, which is also home to a Snowy Hydro radio repeater. On this walk, you will visit a variety of environments from open grassy plains, wooded forest, exposed granite outcrops and alpine fens.

Covered in snow part of the year

This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills – tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.

Rennix Gap

Rennix Gap is a signposted[1] saddle on the Kosciuszko Road and is home to a car park[2], picnic table[3] and the Rennix Walk trackhead[4]. The gap is named after W.E. Rennix, who was appointed the Shire Engineer (with a salary of £350 per year) and was the first to survey the road to Kosciuszko. The road was constructed between 1906-09. A sign at the trackhead reports that Rennix died from pneumonia after having been caught in a blizzard at the gap[6].

(0km) Rennix Walk Car Park → Lakes Creek saddle

1.8 km

32 mins

43m

-14m

Hard track

From the car park[7] and picnic table[8], this walk heads around the timber posts[9] and follows the arrow[10] past the ‘Rennix Walk’ information sign[11], downhill along the old management trail. After about 100m, this walk crosses a creek[12], then a short time later turns right at a ‘Y’ intersection[13] (following an arrow[14]) up the gentle hill. Here the walk continues along the side of the hill, through a grove of trees[15] then winds up the side of the grassy valley[16]. After a while, the track bends left to cross the grassy flat and leads across a flat timber bridge[17]. The old management trail then leads up the hill and through another grove of snow gums[18], and about 400m after the timber bridge, this walk comes to a large flat saddle[19] with a small wetland[20] and views towards the main range[21] (on your left).

Lakes Creek saddle

This saddle (as with a few other saddles on the Rennix Walk) is home to a significant wetland. This ‘Alpine fen’ is fed mostly by ground water from the surrounding hills and is an important ecosystem. Please admire the wetlands from a distance, and remain on the main track.

(1.79km) Lakes Creek saddle → Large Gap

2.9 km

1 hr 2 mins

119m

-117m

Hard track

Continue straight: With the distant view to the main range on your left[23], this walk heads north, gently uphill following the old management trail[24]. The track soon leads through a gap in the trees to find another grassy clearing[25] and a ‘2K’ marker post[26]. Just past the post, the track leads past a water-bog[27], and then back into the trees[28]. The track winds through the lightly wooded area before turning right and heading up a short steep climb[29]. Once at the top of this climb, the track meanders for a little while before heading steeply[30] down, then winding around the side of the hill. Just as the track begins to climb again, it passes a ‘3K’ timber post[31]. For about 500m past the post, the track climbs up through the trees and granite boulders[32], to come to the top of a hill with a clearing[33] and a rocky outcrop[34]. Here, the track bends right and heads downhill, moderately steeply[35], just before crossing an open grassy saddle[36]. On the other side of this saddle, the track leads up the hill[37], and as the track climbs, the walk passes more and more dead snow gums, until on the top where most of the large trees are dead[38] and bleached[39]. Then, the track winds down the hill[40] to a larger open and grassy clearing in the saddle[41] below.

(4.71km) Large Gap → Giant’s Castle

720 m

17 mins

59m

-2m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the large clearing[42], this walk follows the old management trail north, moderately steeply[43] up the hill. Part way up the hill, the trees give way to a distant view of Lake Jindabyne[44] (to your right). The walk continues up the hill among the dead gum trees[45], where the track bends right to follow the ridge up past a scrubby clearing[46]. Continuing on, just past the large granite outcrop (the Giant’s Castle) with a metal trig station on top, the walk comes to a track[47] (on your left) leading up to the trig station[48].

Giants Castle

is the informal name for the larger of the granite boulder outcrops and home to a couple of old trig stations[50][51]. This is a pleasant spot to rest, about 1km south of the radio reflector.

(5.43km) Giant’s Castle → Radio repeater

970 m

19 mins

25m

-32m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection (initially keeping the trig station and the Giant’s Castle to your left[52]), this walk heads north-east, following the old management trail along the ridge[53]. After about 130m, the track passes another granite outcrop and clearing[54] (on your left). The track then winds and gently undulates along the top of the ridge, passing among the trees and scattering of boulders[55] until coming to a large rock outcrop (on your right) with a flat green metal structure on top[56] – the radio repeater.

Radio repeater

This high point, topped with a large granite boulder, provides a great view of the surrounding area. The rock is home to a large radio reflector[57]. This passive device acts like a mirror to bounce radio signals between two Snowy Hydro sites. The reflector looks like a billboard advertising green paint[58], but the simplicity of the design helps increase the reliability and reduce maintenance. There is also a small active, solar-powered repeater on site[59]. The rock behind the repeater slopes down to the ground[60], providing access to the base of the repeater and the great views. Take care on the rock, as there are no fences but a significant drop.

Maps for the Rennix Trail walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-kosciunp-rw
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.